Area and Habitat
Franklin County, New York, extends from the St. Lawrence Plains and Transition in the north to the Central Adirondacks in the south. Between lie the Malone Plain, Western Adirondack Foothills and Transition, Sable Highlands, and a portion of the Adirondack High Peaks. The highest point in the county is the summit of Seward Mountain (4,361'). Habitat varies fron vast grasslands and wooded swamps on the plains in the north to boreal forests and bogs within the Adirondack Park to the south. Many of the best birding areas in New York State can be found within Franklin County.

 

Birding History
How many birds can be found in Franklin County, New York? In 1877, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. and H.D. Minot reported 97 species of summer birds found in the county between 1897-77. Eaton (1905) listed 153 species found at all times of year, most reported by his Franklin County corespondents, A.R. Fuller of Malone and F. Seymour Woodruff of Albany. The First NYS Atlas project located 180 breeding birds between 1980-85, and a similar number were reported in the county during the second Atlas between 2000-05. In The Franklin County publication by John M.C. Peterson available by request, Peterson provides details of 280 species, of which 186 breed or have bred. Both casual birders and field ornithologists should enjoy the search for the birds of Franklin County, New York.